Rotella engine oil

BBELL · Nov 29, 2003

I just came back from Wally-world to purchase some Rotella oil. The problem I ran into was that there wasn't any 5-40 regular oil, only synthetic (I thought that 100% synthetic oil only came in a single weight.) The reason I want 5-40 is for cold weather starting here in Maine. I don't mind buying synthetic oil, but once I put this in do I have to continue using it, or I can I go back. Also can I run it a longer amount of hours, cause it synthetic. And is it better for my $20,000 investment? Also on filters, wixs has a filter thats goes on my tractor, is this a good filter? Is there any hydraulic filters other then Kubota's brand equal to theirs?

MikePA · Nov 29, 2003

I thought that 100% synthetic oil only came in a single weight. 
Amsoil is 100% synthetic and comes in single as well as multi weight.

 once I put this in do I have to continue using it, 
No.

 Also can I run it a longer amount of hours, cause it synthetic. 
Yes, this is one of the selling points of synthetic oils. How many more? I don't know. I use Amsoil and change it at New Holland's recommended intervals.

 And is it better for my $20,000 investment? 
Any oil that meets the manufacturer's specifications is fine. Synthetic oils have better flow characteristics when cold, which helps get lubrication going faster in winter. Since you're in Maine, I'd think you'd benefit from this.

 Also on filters, wixs has a filter thats goes on my tractor, is this a good filter? 
Yes.

 Is there any hydraulic filters other then Kubota's brand equal to theirs? 
I don't know. If Wix doesn't have one, others probably do not either.

sandyc · Nov 29, 2003

BBell:

I just switched from Kubota oil to Amsoil Synthetic. The engine when it was first strated would rattle like a diesel does. With the synthetic it is much quiter. I too was worried about cold weather and sent a note off to Amsoil Tech service asking about the right oil to use. I can't find the e-mail now but I think they said 5-30 Series 3000 oil. It is a HD diesel synthetic.
Matter of fact, I just switched my generator (Generac/7500 watts/14 hp gas) to Amsoil.....it sounds quieter than before with regular oil.
We have an Amsoil dealer here in Western Cumberland County who ordered the 5-30 oil for me....took three days. No big deal. Don't know where in Maine you are but this guy is in Standish (Ken's Tool Shed, 1-207-642-4295)
Take care....

sandyc · Nov 29, 2003

Oh, by the way, you might try Tractorsmart for online ordering for filters. They are reasonable and very quick. Believe they ship out of Tennessee

Raybona_Lewini · Nov 30, 2003

Hey BBell, I live in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and use my tractors all winter. I have a new 4330 and wanted to use the Rotella Synthetic 5w30. I asked my dealer's service manager to call Kubota for me --which he was glad to do. They not only approved of the change, they recommended it given my extreme operating conditions. Case solved. Better oil, no warranty issues as both the dealer and Kubota were involved in this decision.
I put it in and instantly noticed an improvement in cold weather startup and operation (we've seen 10 degree temps already). The engine seems to purr now.
Go for it.

BBELL · Nov 30, 2003

Thanks everybody, I'm on my way back to Wally-world for my Rotella. Oh by the way the price for one gallon is $24.88, sound fair enough?

DK35vince · Nov 30, 2003

( Thanks everybody, I'm on my way back to Wally-world for my Rotella. Oh by the way the price for one gallon is $24.88, sound fair enough? )

Price seems high. Maybe differant in your area.
I purchased several gallon of Rotella T on sale at the Wal-Mart here in Western Pa. for $12.88 per Gallon.
Regular price was just under $19/gal.

TresCrows · Nov 30, 2003

Wal Mart regularly puts the Rotella synthetic 5W-40 on sale for under 13 dollars for a gallon.
No, only Amsoil, that I am aware, of makes single weight synthetic oil. One of the advantages of synthetic oil is the extended range with fewer viscosity modifiers than a conventional multi-weight.
You can switch back to conventional oil but I do not believe it is a good thing to regularly switch brands and types over and over.
No, Shell does not make a conventional 5W-40. Their conventional diesel oil is 15W-40 Rotella T. The synthetic Rotella is 5W-40. J

5030 · Nov 30, 2003

J and Mike:

As a rule, I don't believe in using synthetic oil as the initial cost is quite a bit more than petroleum based oils and I believe that regular (at recommended intervals) changes and filters is good enough. Besides, in 54 years, I have never had a lubrication related problem with any engine.

There are some exceptions, however. As Mike stated, the flow characteristics of a synthetic like Amsoil are better and allows faster lubrication on a cold engine.

I was surprised when upon delivery of our new Generac Guardian standby gen set, after the initial factory fill of petroleum based oil was run for 10 hours, the factory specified 5-30 synthetic oil. Use of petroleum based oil would void the warranty, especially if engine problems occurred. I called Generac in Whitewater, Wisconsin and quired them about that statement. They actually recommended Amsoil. They went on to say that..In the event of a warranty (engine failure related claim), it would be mandatory for a sample of the engine oil to be sent to them for spectroscopic analysis. In the event that it was found to be a non-synthetic oil, the warranty would be void.

As further asked them what was the reason for the synthetic specification and they told me that they had done exhaustive testing on their engines (generac builds their own engines) and they had found that the synthetic provides superior lubrication on cold start while maintaining it's viscosity when warm.

As a standby genset, the engine only has a warm-up period of about 15 seconds before it assumes full operational load. I guess proper lubrication of internal engine parts is pretty important.

Needless to say, after the initial change, I have Amsoil in the crankcase.

I also use Amsoil synthetic 2 stroke injection oil in my sleds. It seems to flow better in the cold as well as not foul plugs.

For everything else, good old 15-40 Delvac is the standby.

TresCrows · Dec 1, 2003

"As a rule, I don't believe in using synthetic oil as the initial cost is quite a bit more than petroleum based oils and I believe that regular (at recommended intervals) changes and filters is good enough. Besides, in 54 years, I have never had a lubrication related problem with any engine."

Not to sidetrack the thread or cause bad feelings but I will never agree with the above statement. I am a die hard Mobil 1 user and will not give it up. It is a superior oil and provides superior lubrication under all conditions, especially extreme conditions. Amsoil is an excellent product as well but it is to hard to get, Mobil 1 is everywhere and NO independent tests have ever shown Amsoil to be any better than Mobil 1. Mobil 1 is OK for light diesels and most of our tractors like the B series are in fact light diesels. Your own post about Generac admits to the superiority of synthetic oils. My air compressor recommends synthetic and mentions Mobil 1 15W-50. I do not use extended drain intervals, I follow instead those by the manufactuer. Mobil 1 can often be had on sale or with rebates that bring the cost way down.
I think, without any real experience with Shell Synthetic, that it should be a fine oil for year around use in a B series light diesel. I could be wrong but I do not think it is the same class/type of synthetic that Mobil 1/Amsoil are. Could be wrong. Please do not think I am dismissing your opinion, it is just that I do not agree and there is nothing wrong with that /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. J